- 50 JODPetra, 1-day accommodated ticket
- 1.2 kmLength of the Siq
- 06:00Petra opening time
- Mar–May · Sep–NovBest seasons to visit
- 235 kmAmman to Petra by road
Which Petra Tour Should You Choose?
For most first-time visitors, the most useful choice is a guided walk along the Main Trail followed by independent exploration, or a full-day visit that goes beyond the Treasury.
| If you want… | Consider… |
|---|---|
| A straightforward first visit | Petra Main Trail guided tour |
| Maximum freedom | Self-guided Petra visit |
| Petra without arranging transport | Petra day tour from Amman |
| More time inside the archaeological site | 2-day Petra trip |
| Petra plus Jordan’s desert landscapes | Petra and Wadi Rum tour |
| A more active experience | Petra hiking tour |
| Local historical context | Private Petra guide |
| A memorable evening add-on | Petra by Night |
| Several Jordan highlights in one trip | Multi-day Jordan tour including Petra |
Why take a Petra tour?
Petra can absolutely be visited without a tour. But its archaeological remains make considerably more sense when someone explains what you are looking at. Petra was once an important Nabataean trading centre positioned along ancient caravan routes, and its sophisticated water-management systems, monumental rock-cut architecture and location between Arabia, Egypt and the Mediterranean helped make it a major regional hub.
A guide can explain details that are easy to walk past, including the Nabataean water channels inside the Siq, ancient religious niches carved into the rock, the original function of major tombs and temples, Nabataean engineering techniques, Petra’s later Roman influence, how the city developed beyond the Treasury, and the history of local communities connected with Petra. The official Petra Visitor Center also offers licensed guides, including options covering the Main Trail and longer routes to places such as the High Place of Sacrifice and the Monastery.
If you mainly want to hike, photograph the landscape and explore at your own pace, a fully guided visit is not essential.
The Best Types of Petra Tours
Guided, private or entirely self-guided — and the combination that suits most first-time visitors.
1. Petra Main Trail Guided Tour — best for first-time visitors
The Main Trail is the classic introduction to Petra. You enter near the Petra Visitor Center and walk towards the Siq, the narrow gorge that forms the traditional entrance to the ancient city. The Siq itself is just over 1 km long, and Nabataean water channels and other archaeological remains can still be seen along its walls. At the end comes Petra’s most famous reveal: Al-Khazneh, the Treasury.
Don’t turn around here. Continue through the archaeological site and you reach the Street of Facades, the Theatre, the Royal Tombs, the Colonnaded Street, the Great Temple area and Qasr Al-Bint — the official tourism information specifically notes that Petra’s Main Trail continues well beyond the Treasury to Qasr Al-Bint.
Choose a Main Trail guided tour if Petra is your first major archaeological site in Jordan and you want historical context without committing your entire day to a guide. A particularly good strategy is to take the guided section first and then continue exploring independently afterwards. This 3-hour private guided tour of Petra with hotel pickup is rated 4.8 from 93 reviews and covers exactly this — the Main Trail and the Treasury, without booking a full day.
2. Private Petra Guided Tour — best for couples, families and a flexible pace
A private guide costs more than joining a group, but you gain much more control over the experience: you can spend longer at places that interest you, ask questions and adjust the walking pace. Private tours are particularly useful if you are travelling with children, interested in archaeology or history, visiting with older family members, a keen photographer, short on time, or planning a more demanding hiking route.
Guides can be arranged through the Petra Visitor Center, which currently lists separate guide options for the Main Trail and longer itineraries incorporating places such as the High Place of Sacrifice or Monastery. A private full-day Petra tour from Amman or the airport is rated 4.9 from 421 reviews and covers both the transport and a licensed guide in one booking.
3. Self-Guided Petra Visit — best for independent travellers and photographers
You do not need a guide simply to enter and explore Petra’s principal route. The Main Trail is relatively straightforward, and independent exploration gives you complete freedom over how long you spend at each monument. This can work particularly well if you enjoy walking, prefer avoiding group schedules, already know some of Petra’s history, want plenty of time for photography, or plan to spend two days in Petra. Maps and visitor information are available from the Visitor Center.
Guided vs self-guided: neither option is inherently better. A guide adds historical context; independent exploration adds flexibility. For many visitors, the ideal compromise is a short guided tour followed by several hours exploring independently.
Beyond Petra, southern Jordan has the red dunes and Bedouin camps of Wadi Rum, a float in the Dead Sea, the Roman colonnades at Jerash, and the Red Sea reefs at Aqaba — all worth building into the same trip.
Petra Day Trip From Amman, and How Many Days to Spend
A Petra tour from Amman is possible, but expect a long day — and the ticket pricing makes a second day cheaper than it sounds.
A Petra tour from Amman is one of the most searched-for ways to visit Petra. It is possible, but expect a long day: Amman and Petra are far enough apart that a substantial portion of your day will be spent travelling, so tours usually leave early and return to Amman in the evening. A typical day trip runs morning pickup in Amman, the drive south, arrival in Wadi Musa, Petra entrance, the walk through the Siq to the Treasury, guided or independent exploration, then the return journey to Amman. For the full comparison of tours, private drivers, the JETT coach and self-driving, see our Amman to Petra transport guide.
A day trip makes sense if you have limited time in Jordan, do not want to rent a car, are staying exclusively in Amman, or want transport organised for you. The disadvantage is time: after reaching the Visitor Center you still need to walk through the entrance area and the Siq before reaching the Treasury, and the Treasury is not the end of Petra — beyond it are the Street of Facades, the Theatre, the Royal Tombs, the Colonnaded Street, the Great Temple, Qasr Al-Bint, trails and viewpoints, and the Monastery. If your tour allocates only a few hours inside Petra, you may need to choose between seeing more monuments and exploring at a relaxed pace. Travellers with more flexibility should seriously consider spending at least one night in Wadi Musa, the town beside Petra — sleeping nearby lets you enter earlier, stay longer and avoid travelling on the same day as your visit.
One day in Petra
One full day works well if you mainly want to see the Siq, Treasury, Street of Facades, Theatre, Royal Tombs, Colonnaded Street, Qasr Al-Bint and potentially the Monastery. It can become a demanding day if you want to see everything — Petra involves significantly more walking than many first-time visitors expect.
Two days in Petra
Two days gives you far more flexibility. Day one typically covers the Siq, Treasury, Main Trail, Royal Tombs, Colonnaded Street and the Monastery; day two is for viewpoints, the High Place of Sacrifice, the Al-Khubtha Trail, slower exploration, photography, and possibly Little Petra or surrounding sites. The additional admission cost for a second Petra day is relatively small compared with the first — see the exact ticket prices below.
Petra and Wadi Rum Tours
If you have more than one day available, Petra and Wadi Rum make one of Jordan’s most natural combinations.
The experiences are completely different. Petra is about archaeology, hiking and monumental architecture carved into sandstone. Wadi Rum is about enormous desert landscapes, sandstone mountains, Bedouin culture, jeep tours, sunsets and nights beneath the desert sky. A typical two-day itinerary runs Petra on day one, then Petra → Wadi Rum → jeep tour → desert camp on day two; a three-day version adds Amman → Petra, then a second Petra visit before Wadi Rum, then Wadi Rum → Aqaba or Amman. If your Jordan trip is short, combining the destinations through one organised tour also removes much of the logistical work of arranging separate transfers — see our full comparison of every tour that genuinely visits both and the two-day versus three-day itinerary.
Petra from Wadi Rum
Already staying in Wadi Rum? Petra is an obvious next stop. You can travel between Wadi Rum and Wadi Musa/Petra by transfer, bus or organised tour depending on your schedule. A private transfer offers the greatest flexibility, particularly if you want to arrive in Petra early. Travellers planning both destinations should think of them as part of the same southern Jordan itinerary rather than making separate return trips from Amman whenever possible.
Petra from Aqaba
Petra can also be visited from Aqaba, which is particularly useful for travellers staying by the Red Sea, cruise passengers, visitors entering Jordan through Aqaba, and people combining Petra, Aqaba and Wadi Rum. Day tours normally provide transport to Petra and enough time for the principal highlights before returning to Aqaba. If Petra is one of the main reasons for your trip, staying overnight in Wadi Musa still gives you a much less rushed experience.
Don’t Stop at the Treasury
The Treasury may be Petra’s defining image, but it represents only a small part of the archaeological site.
Walking deeper into Petra changes the experience completely. Beyond the Treasury you encounter wider valleys, enormous rock-cut tombs, mountain trails and increasingly expansive views, eventually reaching one of Petra’s other great monuments.
The Monastery
Ad-Deir — better known as the Monastery — is one of Petra’s most impressive structures. Reaching it requires a considerable uphill walk involving many stone steps, but the scale of the façade and surrounding mountain scenery make it one of Petra’s major highlights. Travellers who only have a few hours in Petra may struggle to fit the Monastery comfortably into their visit — another reason a full day is preferable to a short excursion.
Petra hiking tours
Petra is also an excellent hiking destination. Beyond the Main Trail are routes that climb above the central archaeological area and provide completely different perspectives, including routes associated with the High Place of Sacrifice, Al-Khubtha, the Monastery, Little Petra and mountain viewpoints. Some longer official trails are classed as difficult and guided-only — the Jordan Tourism Board describes several routes taking four to eight hours and requiring a guide. If hiking is a major reason for visiting Petra, consider spending at least two days here.
Petra by Night
Petra by Night is an evening experience held on selected nights rather than part of normal daytime admission. Visitors walk through the Siq after dark before reaching the Treasury area illuminated by candlelight. It is not a substitute for visiting Petra during the day — think of it as an optional atmospheric addition. Schedules can change, so check the official Petra website before planning your itinerary around it. Amman: Petra by Night Tour with Optional Day Visit is rated 4.9 from 37 reviews, a smaller review base than the site’s main pick but consistent so far.
How Much Does Petra Cost, and Is the Jordan Pass Worth It?
50 JOD for one day if you slept in Jordan, and a pass that can pay for itself before you reach the gate.
| Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| 1 day | 50 JOD |
| 2 consecutive days | 55 JOD |
| 3 consecutive days | 60 JOD |
Note: these prices apply to international visitors staying at least one night in Jordan. A one-day ticket for visitors who are not staying overnight in Jordan is priced differently, at 90 JOD. Prices can change, so confirm current rates before travelling.
Is the Jordan Pass worth considering?
Anyone spending several days travelling around Jordan should compare normal admission prices with the Jordan Pass. There are three versions: Jordan Wanderer (1 Petra day), Jordan Explorer (2 consecutive Petra days) and Jordan Expert (3 consecutive Petra days). The pass also includes access to many participating attractions, and qualifying travellers may receive a tourist-entry visa-fee waiver under the programme’s conditions. The Jordan Pass does not include Petra by Night. See our full Jordan Pass and Petra tickets guide for the tier-by-tier breakdown and the three-night rule that decides whether it pays off.
How Much Walking Is Involved, and the Best Time to Visit
More walking than most first-time visitors expect, and two windows in the year that make it easier.
How much walking is involved at Petra?
More than you might expect. Even the basic journey from the entrance through the Siq to the Treasury is only the start — add the Royal Tombs, central city, Monastery and viewpoints and your walking distance increases quickly. Wear comfortable walking shoes, breathable clothing, sun protection and a hat, and carry sufficient water, particularly during hotter months. You do not need to be an experienced hiker for the Main Trail, but travellers with limited mobility should research distances and accessibility before choosing a longer itinerary.
Best time to visit Petra
Spring and autumn generally offer the most comfortable conditions for exploring Petra on foot. The official Petra tourism site recommends March to May and September to November for milder weather. Whatever the season, arriving early has advantages: you get more usable time inside Petra and can complete longer trails without constantly watching the clock. Opening hours vary seasonally, so check the official schedule shortly before visiting.
What to Look for When Booking a Petra Tour
Tours that appear similar can provide very different experiences. Check these details first.
- Transport — does the tour include pickup and drop-off?
- Petra entrance ticket — never assume admission is included.
- Guide — some packages provide a guide throughout the journey but only limited guiding inside Petra.
- Time inside Petra — this is one of the most important details.
- Group size — small groups generally move more efficiently and make it easier to hear the guide.
- Meals — check whether lunch is included or simply offered as an optional stop.
- Wadi Rum — for multi-day tours, check how much time is actually allocated to Wadi Rum and whether a jeep tour is included.
- Accommodation — for overnight packages, compare the location and standard of the hotel or desert camp rather than judging the tour only by price.
Is a Petra tour worth it?
For many first-time visitors, some guided time inside Petra is worthwhile, particularly if you want to understand the site’s Nabataean history rather than simply see its monuments. That does not mean you need a guide beside you for eight hours. A good compromise is to enter early, explore the Main Trail with a guide, learn the historical context, then continue independently towards the Monastery and other trails. Travellers coming from Amman or Aqaba may get even more practical value from an organised tour because transportation is handled at the same time. Independent travellers staying in Wadi Musa have less need for a full package and can simply arrange a Petra guide separately.
How many days do you really need?
One day is enough for Petra’s major highlights if you are reasonably active. Two days is the sweet spot for many travellers who want the main monuments plus hiking and viewpoints. Three days is useful for keen hikers, photographers and travellers wanting to explore Petra at a slower pace. The key mistake is not necessarily spending only one day — it is spending only two or three hours. Petra rewards time.
Petra Tours: Frequently Asked Questions
Can you visit Petra without a tour?
Yes. Admission is sold separately from any guide, and the Main Trail is a single obvious path most visitors walk with a map. You only need a guide for historical context or the less obvious hiking routes, not to find your way to the Treasury.
Is a guide necessary at Petra?
No, but a licensed guide makes the archaeological remains considerably easier to understand — the Nabataean water channels in the Siq, the original function of the major tombs, and how the city developed beyond the Treasury are all easy to walk straight past without one.
Is one day enough for Petra?
One full day is enough to see most of Petra’s major highlights if you are reasonably active. Two days is better if you want to hike to the viewpoints or explore at a slower pace, and the second day only adds 5 JOD to your ticket.
Can you visit Petra from Amman in one day?
Yes, Petra day trips from Amman are common, although the 235 km drive each way makes it a long day. Most tours leave before dawn and return in the evening, so an early pickup matters if you want to maximise your time on site.
Can Petra and Wadi Rum be visited together?
Yes — they are one of the most logical combinations in southern Jordan, and most multi-day tours from Amman link the two. See our comparison of every tour that genuinely visits both for current prices and inclusions.
Should I book a Petra tour in advance?
For transport-based tours, private guides and travel during busier months (March to May, September to November), booking ahead gives you more choice of departure time and, on private tours, more control over your pace.